By:Our Reporter, Calabar
The Director-General of the Cross River State Electrification Agency, Hon. Francis Ekpo, has facilitated a comprehensive eye care outreach benefiting over 200 residents of Okuku and neighbouring communities in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The outreach, held recently was organised by Holistique Public Health, a non-governmental organisation, in collaboration with the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA), Cross River State chapter.
Speaking on the initiative, Ekpo said the intervention was driven by his commitment to closing the healthcare access gap, particularly for underserved populations hindered by poverty and limited awareness.
He emphasised the importance of preventive healthcare, noting that many individuals often delay seeking medical attention until conditions worsen.
“Health is wealth. Unfortunately, many people are not adequately informed about preventive care. They tend to wait until situations deteriorate before seeking help. What we are doing is bringing healthcare closer to them and encouraging early checks,” he said.
Ekpo revealed that a significant number of beneficiaries had never undergone eye examinations or routine health checks such as blood pressure screening, underscoring the urgency of such interventions.
“It is important to consistently provide these opportunities and encourage our people to prioritise their health before it becomes critical. This is something I remain committed to,” he added.
The outreach also extended to Calabar, where over 400 civil and public servants aged 45 and above benefited from similar services.
Programme Administrator of Holistique Public Health, Ebube Bruno, described the initiative as impactful, noting that more than 600 individuals across Calabar and Okuku received free eye screenings, prescription lenses, and medications.
“It is a thing of great joy to help restore quality vision to hundreds of people. While civil servants in Calabar are now better equipped for productivity, families in rural communities who could not afford eye care services were given access to essential treatment,” Bruno said.
He added that the programme aligns with the “People First” agenda of Governor Bassey Otu and commended partners and volunteers for their dedication.
Bruno further called on professionals and well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the efforts of Ekpo and participating optometrists who extended services to hard-to-reach communities.
Also speaking, Chairperson of the Nigerian Optometric Association in the state, Dr Cecilia Ogechi Chukwu, said the outreach was designed to identify undiagnosed eye conditions and facilitate timely referrals for advanced care.
She urged the state government to strengthen the healthcare system by recruiting more optometrists and ensuring equitable distribution across all local government areas.
Beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the intervention, describing it as timely and life-changing.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Agaga Grace from Okuku, said the outreach helped detect an eye condition in her daughter that had previously gone unnoticed.
“I came for a routine check-up with my family, and we discovered my daughter had an eye problem. I am very grateful for this opportunity,” she said.
Other beneficiaries, including residents from Ukelle, Okuku, and Yache communities, also commended the organisers for providing free reading glasses and medications, which they said would significantly improve their quality of life.
